Stephen Fielding is regarded as a leading practitioner nationally in the field of probate and inheritance disputes having mediated over 150 cases with all but three resulting in settlement. A barrister, Stephen has been practising as a mediator for the last 14 years and has been praised by clients for his ability to build exceptional rapport, surface the key issues, and lead parties toward settlement.

His experience in executive management positions in the banking sector means that Stephen is exceptionally well placed to mediate finance and banking disputes, including mortgage-related and investment management disputes using his financial and business literacy. Stephen is particularly well regarded for his skills in tackling cases of financial complexity with a high degree of emotion related to professional negligence, partnership and employment disputes.

Professional Background

Stephen practised as a lawyer for 12 years, specialising in banking and building society law during which time he wrote a well-received book on the Consumer Credit Act. For nearly 20 years he held senior posts in banking and financial services, including as a partner and client group head at Coutts and Co. This unusual combination of legal as well as financial expertise is highly valued by the many clients who have asked Stephen to mediate commercial cases.

Expertise

Banking & Finance

Professional Negligence

Trusts, Wills & Probate

Stephen’s 10 years of experience as a mediator has crystallised in these three major areas, although he is also in demand as a mediator of church disputes. Running through the Chancery and professional negligence disputes has been a common thread of high emotion, in the face of which Stephen’s capacity for active listening and interpersonal sensitivity is a valuable solvent. His ability to assist the parties to put a financial value on interests - for example, the interest of a surviving spouse (or mistress) excluded from a will - is also widely regarded as an advantage.